Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) vetoed a bipartisan bill to protect property rights by taking a stronger approach to squatters. The issue of squatting has become a part of the national conversation on crime and property rights. Florida and Georgia have already passed laws addressing the matter.

The Arizona bill, SB 1129, would have empowered property owners to contact the police to remove a squatter from their property. Currently, law enforcement cannot remove people who illegally reside in someone else’s home.

But Hobbs vetoed the bill, claiming in a letter that it “fails to leverage existing legal mechanisms, respect the due process rights of lawful tenants, and minimize unintended consequences such as for victims of domestic violence.”

However, sponsor state Sen. Wendy Rogers said the bill had exemptions for family members, those who agreed to cohabitate and didn’t interfere with landlord-tenant law.

“Although we have trespassing laws, it’s often difficult to prove a person is unlawfully occupying a home and can result in a lengthy legal battle,” Rogers said.

In testimony during committee hearings, Arizona property owners testified about the damage done to their homes by squatters.

State Sen. Justine Wadsack shared that when she worked as a realtor, she encountered a squatter at a home that she was showing to a client.

“It was a terrifying threat to my safety, the safety of my clients, as well as to the homeowners,” Wadsack said. “When I called the police, I was told there was not much they could do. It’s a shame Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed yet another piece of commonsense bipartisan legislation.”

Apparently, the concerns of property owners did not resonate with Gov. Hobbs, who seems more concerned about protecting those who intrude on other people's property.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who recently signed a bill empowering property owners to remove squatters from their property, slammed Hobbs’ decision.

“The Governor of Arizona just vetoed a bill that we signed here in Florida so that these squatters could be ejected. What kind of a message does that send? You’re saying you can squat in somebody’s house and basically they got to go through a six month process.”

Hobbs also vetoed bills that would have barred students from other states who are attending college in Arizona from voting in local and state elections. She also rejected a measure that would prohibit biological males from showering with female students in government-run schools. Another bill would have imposed enhanced sentences on criminals convicted of multiple instances of organized retail theft.

Squatting has become such a prominent issue in America that other states are also considering legislation preventing bad actors from stealing people’s property while being protected by the law. Even in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that would help those victimized by squatters.

Lawmakers say it will make it easier for police to intervene in squatting cases instead of having to take them to housing court.

The new law takes effect immediately and comes over a series of 7 On Your Side Investigations into the growing problem.

Over the weekend, both the State Assembly and the State Senate passed the new bill. It is a small change that lawmakers say will have a big impact.

They voted to change the state’s property law, stating, “a tenant should not include a squatter.” They are hoping it makes it easier for police to intervene in cases when someone enters a home without permission or legal paperwork instead of having to take them to housing court.

Gov. Hobbs has vetoed 52 bills this legislative session so far.